Endoscopic therapy for acute recurrent pancreatitis

Abstract

Endoscopy plays an important role in both the diagnosis and the initial management of recurrent acute pancreatitis, as well as the investigation of refractory disease, but it has known limitations and risks. Sound selective use of these therapies, complemented with other lines of investigation such as genetic testing, can dramatically improve frequency of attacks and associated quality of life. Whether endoscopic therapy can reduce progression to chronic pancreatitis, or reduce the risk of malignancy, is debatable, and remains to be proven.

Keywords: Acute recurrent pancreatitis; Biliary pancreatitis; Endoscopic spincterotomy; Endoscopic therapy; Idiopathic pancreatitis; Pancreas divisum; Relapsing pancreatitis; Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.